Paneling structure for a ceiling, wall or similar surface



June 30, 1964 R. E. SPANGENBERG 3,139,162

PANELING STRUCTURE FOR A CEILING, WALL OR SIMILAR SURFACE Filed July 26,1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 f1 7- 5 INVENTOR l bberff' Spa 8pm ATTORNEYS June1964 R. E. SPANGENBERG 3,139,162

PANELING STRUCTURE FOR A CEILING, WALL OR SIMILAR SURFACE 3 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed July 26, 1960 INVENTOR June 1964 R. E. SPANGENBERG 3,139,162

PANELING STRUCTURE FOR A CEILING, WALL OR SIMILAR SURFACE Filed July 26,1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR United States Patent 3,139,162 PANELHIGSTRUCTURE FOR A CEILING, WALL 0R SllVIILAR SURFACE Robbert ErnstSpangenberg, The Hague, Netherlands, as-

signor to Hunter Douglas International Corporation, New York, N.Y.., acorporation of New York Filed .iuly 26, 1960, Ser. No. 45,335 Claimspriority, application Germany Aug. 1, 1959 7 Claims. (Cl. 189-88) Thisinvention relates to a paneling structure for a ceiling, wall or similarsurface, comprising panels which are arched at their longitudinal edgesand are supported by bearers, said bearers being carried by joists, andaims at providing a paneling structure of this kind which may be easilyand quickly mounted and which has a firm surface and a pleasingappearance.

The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of such apaneling structure.

This is accomplished with the paneling structure according to theinvention in that the bearers are fastened to the joist by means offastening means which are so constructed that they may be brought intoan intermediate position in the joists in which position the bearers aresupported in some distance from the joists and into a final position inwhich the edges of the panels are firmly clamped between the bearer andthe joists or some other support. One account of the fact that eachbearer is adapted to be brought into an intermediate position in whichit is located at a distance from the joists which may consist forexample of channel-profiles, one of the longitudinal edges of a panelmay be hooked around the edge of a joist, said panel then having aninclined position. Thereafter the panel is swung parallel to the surfaceto be paneled, whereupon the first bearer is brought into its finalposition and a second bearer in its intermediate position, one edge ofsaid second bearer supporting the other longitudinal edge of the firstpanel. Subsequently one of the longitudinal edges of a second panel ishooked around the other longitudinal edge of the second bearer,whereupon the second bearer is brought into its final position so thatconsequently the two longitudinal edges thus supported of the twoadjacent panels are firmly clamped etc. According to the invention it isalso possible first to arrange all bearers in an intermediate position,whereupon the panels are placed with their longitudinal edges on saidbearers and subsequently all bearers are pressed into their finalposition. Obviously the panels should then consist of such material asto allow said panels to be somewhat bent.

The bearers may have any profile but according to the invention theypreferably consist of rigid channel-profiles of sheet metal of which theedges are arched or turnedup in accordance with the edges of the panels.

In order to obtain a nice result as a whole the panels may have such atrough-like profile that they are lying in or almost in one plane withthe connecting portion of the legs of the bearers.

A very simple and sturdy construction may be achieved if in the joiststhere are provided holes or recesses for receiving the fastening means.Said fastening means are then firmly held in these holes so that theycannot move.

According to the invention the fastening means may consist of bentresilient strips having a head portion and two legs, said head portionresting with its edges on the arched or turned-up edges of the bearers,each of the legs having at least two arched or outwardly bent portionsby which the intermediate position and the final position of the bearersare defined. The head portion is preferably made so large that it iseasily slidable in a bearer. The outwardly bent portions of the legs ofthe fastening means may consist of lips of which the free end pointstowards the head portion of the fastening means. A preferred embodimentof the fastening means according to the intion is characterized in thateach of the legs has a bent portion defining the final position of thebearers and a resilient lip defining the intermediate position and alsoserving as a locking means, said lip preventing the paneling from movingfurther out of the joists than the intermediate position of thefastening means. However, the bent portions present the possibility ofbringing the bearers from their final position into an intermediateposition so that for example a damaged panel may be easily replaced by anew one or panels may be removed to obtain access to the space above thepaneling.

According to the invention the fastening means may also consist of pressstuds which are each provided with two accommodations for the head ofthe press stud, of which press studs one portion is provided in thejoists and the other portion in the bearer. This other portion of thepress stud may be integral with the bearer.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings showing by way of example some embodiments of the panelingaccording to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows in perspective a ceiling paneling according to theinvention, some parts being shown in section for claritys sake.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show part of FIG. 1 on a larger scale, in which thebearers are in the intermediate and in the final position respectively.

FIG. 4 shows a fastening means in perspective.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views of a modification of the fasteningmeans for the paneling, the fastening means being in the intermediateand in the final position respectively.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment in the same manner as FIGS. 5 and6.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the embodiment according to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is a section of another embodiment of a fastening means.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a number of joists 1 is fixed by meansof rods 2 to the beams 3 of a floor. In these joists these are providedat regular intervals in accordance with the width of the mounted panels4 holes 5 for receiving fastening means 6.

As is apparent from FIG. 4 the fastening means 6 comprise a resilientmetal strip, for example of steel, which is so bent that a head 7 withtwo bearing surfaces 8 is formed. On these bearing surfaces 8 the archededges 9 of a bearer 10 are resting, said bearer having mainly achannel-shaped profile. The fastening means 6 shown in FIG. 4- comprisestwo legs of which each leg has a curved portion 11 and a lip 12 pointingtowards the head 8. When a fastening means 6 is pressed into a hole 5 ofa joist 1, after said fastening means has been slid in a bearer 10, thelips 12 come to rest on the inner surface of the joist 1. Then thebearer 10 cannot be separated anymore from the joist 1, since the lips12 prevent such a separation and thereby provide a locking means. As isapparent from FIG. 2 the bearer is then still located at a distance fromthe joist 1 so that a panel may be hooked around the free longitudinaledge of the bearer 10. For this purpose said panel is held in aninclined position and after it has been hooked around the freelongitudinal edge of the bearer 10 said panel is against the joists 1.Thereafter the next bearer may be so fixed to the joists 1 that itassumes an intermediate position. By exerting a pressure on thepreviously mounted bearer said bearer may then be brought into its finalposition in which both longitudinal edges of the two adjacent panelssupported by said bearer are firmly clamped between the joists 1 andsaid bearer 16 (FIG. 3).

The panels 4 are trough-shaped with arched longitudinal edges. Theprofile of these arched longitudinal edges corresponds to the profile ofthe arched longitudinal edges of the bearers so that the panels are wellsupported. In the case of the acoustic ceiling shown in FIG. 1 there isprovided on the panels 4 a strip 13 of porous paper or other material, asound-absorbing filling 14 being arranged on said strip 13. The heightof the trough-like shape of the panels 4 equals the height of thebearers It In the embodiment of the paneling structure according toFIGS. 5 and 6 fastening means 15 are applied which comprise a bipartitehead. Each of the parts of this bipartite head is formed by a bentstrip-like portion of which the free ends engage with the arched edges 9of the bearer 10. Each of the legs of said fastening means 15 comprisestwo bent portions 16, 17. The bent portions 16 are so constructed thatthey comprise a flat or almost flat portion 18 preventing the panelingfrom dropping oif the joists 1. The bent portions 17 are so constructedthat the bearers 10 maybe brought from their final position again intothe intermediate portion. However, this requires a strong force so thatthis cannot be effected without tools. A simple rod or lever, however,is already suitable to bring the bearers 10 into their intermediateposition. From FIG. 5 it appears that the arched edges of the panels 4-may be easily placed on the arched edges 9 of the bearers 10. As isapparent from FIG. 6 the arched edges of the panels 4 are firmly clampedbetween the joists 1 and the arched edges 9 of the bearers 10.

FIGS. 7-9 show an embodiment of the paneling structure according to theinvention in which press stud type fastening means 19, are provided tokeep the panels 4 in place. The portion 19 of the press stud19, 20fastening means is formed by the bearer which is provided with a numberof projections 21 having a head 22. The head 22. of each projection 21co-operates with the portion 20 of the press stud 19, 20. This portion20 has two accommodations 23, 24 for the head 22. FIG. 7 shows theposition of the parts in which the head 22 is in the accommodation 24 sothat the portion 19 is located at some distance from the joist 1. Inthis position the arched edges of the panels 4 are placed on thelongitudinal edges of the portion 19. FIG. 8 shows the parts in theposition in which the head 22 is in the upper accommodation 23 of theportion 20. In this position the edges of the panels 4 are firmlyclamped between the edges of the portion 19 and the portion 20.

The portions 20 may consist for example of a synthetic material and, asappears from FIG. 9, these portions are provided with slots 25 engagingwith two opposite edges of a hole 5 in the joist 1. When the portion 20is put in place a tongue 26 of the joist 1 is so bent that said portion20 cannot move.

In order to prevent the head 22 from unintentionally leaving theaccommodation 24 said head is provided at its lower side with a flat rimco-operating with a flat rim of the accommodation 24.

It is obvious that the part 21, 22 may also be constructed as a detachedpart so that it may be slid in a joist as applied in the embodimentsaccording to FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of such a fastening means 27 which is sobent from a resilient metal strip that it has a longitudinal head 28.This fastening means is adapted to he slid in a bearer 10 according toFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. It is obvious that the accommodations 23 and 24of the portion 20 must likewise have a longitudinal shape.

I claim:

1. A paneling structure for ceilings, walls and similar surfaces,comprising panels having arched longitudinal rims, bearers supportingthe panels at their rim, supporting means provided with holes, andfastening means fitting into the holes of the supporting means forsecuring the bearers to said supporting means, said fastening meanshaving first portions for securing the bearers to the supporting meansin a first intermediate position, in which position the bearers aresupported at a distance from said supporting means, and having secondportions for supporting the bearers in a second final position, in whichthe rims of the panels are firmly clamped between the bearers and thesupporting means, the first portions of the fastening means forsupporting the bearers in the intermediate position being constructed aslocking means for said fastening means, and the second portions being soconstructed that the fastening means can always be brought back intotheir first position without removing the panels.

2. A paneling structure for ceilings, walls and similar surfaces,comprising panels having arched longitudinal rims, bearers having archededges for supporting the panels at their rims, supporting means providedwith holes, and fastening means fitting into the holes of the fasteningmeans for securing the bearers to said supporting means, said fasteningmeans including a bent resilient strip having a head portion and twolegs, said head portion resting with its edges against the arched edgesof the bearers, each of the legs of the fastening means having a firstoutwardly bent portion for securing the bearers to the supporting 'meansin a first intermediate position, in which position the bearers aresupported at a distance from said supporting means, each of the legs ofthe fastening means having a second portion for supporting the bearersin a second final position, in which the rims of the panels are firmlyclamped between the bearers and the supporting means, the portions fordefining the intermediate first position being constructed as lockingmeans for said fastening means and the portions for defining the secondfinal position being so constructed that the fastening means can alwaysbe brought back into their first position without removing the panels.

3. A panel structure for ceilings, walls and similar surfaces,comprising panels having arched longitudinal rims bearers having archededges for supporting the panels at their rims, supporting means providedwith holes, and fastening means fitting into the holes of the supportingmeans for securing the bearers to said supporting means, said fasteningmeans including a bent resilient strip having a head portion and twolegs, said head portion resting with its edges against the arched edgesof the bearers, each of the legs of the fastening means having a firstportion containing a lip provided with a free end pointing towards thehead portion of the fastening means, said lips securing the bearers tothe supporting means in a first intermediate position, in which positionthe bearers are supported at a distance from said supporting means, saidlips being constructed as locking means for said fastening means, andeach of said legs having second portions for supporting the bearers in asecond final position in which the rims of the panels are firmly clampedbetween the bearers and the supporting means, said portions for definingthe final position being constructed so that the fastening means canalways be brought back into their first position without removing thepanels.

4. A panel structure for ceilings, walls and similar surfaces,comprising panels having arched longitudinal rims, bearers supportingthe panels at their rims, supporting means provided with holes, andfastening means fitting into the holes of the supporting means forsecuring the bearers to said supporting means, said fastening meansincluding press stud means of elastic material and containing a portionhaving two accommodation positions for a head portion of the press studmeans, one portion of said press stud means being provided in thesupporting means and the other portion in the bearers, said twoaccommodation positions defining an intermediate first position and afinal second position of said bearers, the portions for defining theintermediate first position being constructed as locking means for saidfastening means, whereas the portions for defining the final positionare constructed so that the fastening means always can be brought backinto their first position without removing the panels.

5. A paneling structure according to claim 4, wherein said other portionof the press stud means which is the head portion is integral with thebearers.

6. A fastening means for a paneling structure for ceilings, walls andsimilar surfaces, comprising panels having arched longitudinal rims,bearers for supporting said panels at the rims thereof, said bearersbeing fastened to supporting means by fastening means fitting into holesof said supporting means, said fastening means including a bentresilient strip and containing a head portion and two resilient legs, ofwhich, when viewed from the head towards the free end of the resilientlegs, each resilient leg has a lip portion pointing towards the head ofthe fastening means and defining an intermediate first position of saidfastening means and a bent portion defining the final second position ofsaid fastening means, the portions for defining the intermediate firstposition being constructed as locking means for said fastening means,whereas the portions for defining the final position are constructed sothat the fastening means always can be brought back into their firstposition Without removing the panels.

7. A fastening means for a paneling structure for ceilings, walls andsimilar surfaces, comprising panels having arched longitudinal rims,bearers for supporting the panels at the rims thereof, said bearersbeing fastened to supporting means by fastening means fitting into holesof said supporting means, said fastening means including a bentresilient strip and containing a head portion and two resilient legs, ofwhich, when viewed from the head to wards the free end of the resilientlegs, each resilient leg has two bent portions, one of said bentportions defining an intermediate first position of said fastening meansand also serving as a locking means for the bearers, the other bentportion defining the final second position of said fastening means, thebent portion for defining the final position of said fastening meansbeing constructed so that the fastening means always can be brought backinto their first position without removing the panels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,772,417 Ellingwood Aug. 5, 1930 2,156,669 Van Uum May 2, 19392,219,382 Conlon Oct. 29, 1940 2,476,506 Olsen July 19, 1949 2,720,289Henrickson Oct. 11, 1955 2,998,112 Burgin Aug. 29, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS746,007 Great Britain Mar. 7, 1956

1. A PANELING STRUCTURE FOR CEILINGS, WALLS AND SIMILAR SURFACES,COMPRISING PANELS HAVING ARCHED LONGITUDINAL RIMS, BEARERS SUPPORTINGTHE PANELS AT THEIR RIM, SUPPORTING MEANS PROVIDED WITH HOLES, ANDFASTENING MEANS FITTING INTO THE HOLES OF THE SUPPORTING MEANS FORSECURING THE BEARERS TO SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, SAID FASTENING MEANSHAVING FIRST PORTIONS FOR SECURING THE BEARERS TO THE SUPPORTING MEANSIN A FIRST INTERMEDIATE POSITION, IN WHICH POSITION THE BEARERS ARESUPPORTED AT A DISTANCE FROM SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, AND HAVING SECONDPORTIONS FOR SUPPORTING THE BEARERS IN A SECOND FINAL POSITION, IN WHICHTHE RIMS OF THE PANELS ARE FIRMLY CLAMPED BETWEEN THE BEARERS AND THESUPPORTING MEANS, THE FIRST PORTIONS OF THE FASTENING MEANS FORSUPPORTING THE BEARERS IN THE INTERMEDIATE POSITION BEING CONSTRUCTED ASLOCKING MEANS FOR SAID FASTENING MEANS, AND THE SECOND PORTIONS BEING SOCONSTRUCTED THAT THE FASTENING MEANS CAN ALWAYS BE BROUGHT BACK INTOTHEIR FIRST POSITION WITHOUT REMOVING THE PANELS.